Contingent Fee Agreement Basics

WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: The below information was prepared by The Bar Plan and is for general information purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion with regard to any specific circumstance or set of facts. This form document is not, and cannot be, inclusive of all the possible or required contents for such agreements, and each attorney preparing such an agreement must make an independent evaluation of the necessary and required contents, given the circumstances of the representation.

Contingent Fee Agreement Basics

Missouri Rule of Professional Conduct 4-1.5 requires a written fee agreement in contingent fee representations.

The detail that is necessary in a fee agreement is defined by the circumstances. A lawyer has a duty to communicate with the client to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation. [Rule 4-1.4(b) and Comment to Rule 4-1.5]

The scope of representation should be set forth and any limits on what the lawyer will do must be clearly spelled out. A lawyer may limit the objectives of the representation if the client gives informed consent [Rule 4-1.2(c)] However, any limitation must accord with the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct and other law. A client may not be asked to agree to representation so limited in scope as to violate Rule 4-1.1 relating to competence or to surrender the right to terminate the lawyers’ services or the right to settle litigation that the lawyer might wish to continue. [Comment, Rule 4-1.2] A lawyer cannot limit her duties or liability under the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct in the fee agreement.

If a division of fees with a lawyer from another firm is involved, the client’s consent must be obtained. This consent must be confirmed in writing. The division may be based on the proportion of services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer must assume joint responsibility for the representation. [Rule 4-1.5(e)]

If you don’t want to represent the client in an appeal from the underlying representation, state so specifically.

The agreement should set forth how fees, expenses, and costs will be handled and billed, when payment is expected, and what is included in the fee (i.e. billing for telephone calls). It’s a good idea to review M.R.P.C. 4-1.5-Fees.

Rates for copying, mileage, computerized legal research, and other charges must be disclosed. If those rates differ from your firm’s actual costs, the client must be advised of and consent to the difference.

The termination of the representation should also be disclosed, including under what circumstances the attorney may withdraw, what will happen if the fees are not paid, and disposition of the client’s file.

Your file retention policy should be set out. Regarding a File Retention Policy as discussed in the Sample Engagement Letter, a form policy is available from The Bar Plan.

Forms alone cannot tell a lawyer how to comply. Rather, compliance will result from the lawyer’s understanding of the interaction of the Rules and any applicable statutes to their practice area. For example, lawyers doing workers compensation law should be aware that there are regulations on charging fees in this area and their fees are subject to the regulation by the worker’s compensation division or commission. Likewise, fees must be approved in other areas of law practice, such as bankruptcy, matters in which a minor is a client, probate, etc. These fee agreements and guidelines cannot address all the specifics that may be necessary for every client matter.

Just as important as the clauses a fee agreement may contain are clauses that are not permitted. Limited examples of such possible clause are:

The “Slow Down Work” Clause – An attorney does not have the option of unilaterally slowing down the progress of the case simply because he or she is not happy with the progress of payment, at least not without the consent of the client and then only to the extent permitted by Rule 4-3.2 Expediting Litigation

The “You Have to Agree to Let Me Withdraw” Clause – A lawyer cannot compel the client to

sign a statement concerning withdrawal contrary to the client’s true wishes or best interests.

The “I Say When the Fee Is Reasonable” Clause – A contract cannot determine the reasonableness of a fee. Rather, reasonableness is determined with reference to all of the factors set forth in Rule 4-1.5.

The “You Can Longer Object to My Fee” Clause – The Rules of Professional Conduct require a lawyer to maintain complete records of all funds, securities, and other properties of a client coming into the possession of the lawyer and render appropriate accountings to the client regarding them. The mere passage of time between billing, payment and the request for an accounting does not act to limit this duty.

With the above thoughts in mind, below is a basic starting template for a form Contingent Fee Agreement.

Sample Contingent Fee Agreement Form

Sample FEE AGREEMENT – Contingent

FIRM NAME

STREET

CITY, STATE, ZIP

PHONE

DATE

LAWYER‑CLIENT FEE AGREEMENT

(“Lawyer”), will provide legal services to(“Client”), on the terms set forth below. This agreement is required by Supreme Court Rule 4-1.5(c).

1. CONDITIONS. This Agreement will not take effect, and Lawyer will take no action on Client’s behalf or have any obligation to provide legal services, until Client returns a signed copy of this Agreement.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES. Client is hiring Lawyer to represent Client in the matter of Client’s claims against _______________ and possibly others as future investigation may indicate, arising out of _____________ which occurred on or about ___________________. [See User Note 1 Below]

Lawyer will represent Client until a settlement or judgment is obtained by way of negotiations or arbitration or trial. Lawyer will oppose any motion for a new trial or any other post‑trial motions filed by an opposing party, or will make any appropriate post‑trial motions on Client’s behalf. After judgment Lawyer will not represent Client on any appeal, or in any proceedings designed to execute on the judgment, without such additional compensation as may be agreed upon in a separate Agreement.

3. CLIENT. Lawyer is representing the Client (name) only in this matter. It is understood by Client and any third party who may be assisting Client financially, emotionally or otherwise, in this matter, that lawyer’s duty is to act in the best interest of the Client and Lawyer cannot share information about Client’s case with anyone other than Client without express permission.[See User Note 2 Below]

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES. Lawyer will provide those legal services reasonably required to represent Client in prosecuting the claims described in paragraph 2. Client agrees to appear, at all legal proceedings (including depositions, hearings including but not limited to trial) when Lawyer deems it necessary. Client further agrees to generally cooperate fully with Lawyer in all matters related to the preparation and presentation of Client’s claims (including but not limited to interrogatories, written discovery, trial preparation, client interviews). Further, while it is impossible to predict the course of a representation, it may be important for Lawyer to contact Client immediately, or upon short notice, to confer with Client regarding the status of Client’s case. An inability to do so may result in Client’s case being prejudiced and detrimentally affect the outcome of the case. Accordingly, Client agrees to keep Lawyer informed of Client’s current address, telephone number and whereabouts. If Client leaves town, for example, to travel on business or vacation, Client agrees to notify Lawyer before leaving of the expected duration of the trip and how Client may be contacted in the meantime.

5. ADVANCED COST DEPOSIT. Client agrees to pay Lawyer an initial advanced cost deposit of $_________, to be returned with this signed Agreement. Lawyer will hold this advanced cost deposit in a trust account. Client hereby authorizes Lawyer to use the advanced cost deposit to pay the costs and other expenses incurred under this Agreement.

When Client’s advanced cost deposit is exhausted, Lawyer reserves the right to demand further deposits. Once a trial or arbitration date is set, Client agrees to pay all sums then owing, and to deposit the costs Lawyer estimates will be incurred in preparing for and completing the trial or arbitration, as well as the jury fees, court costs or arbitration fees likely to be assessed. Those sums may exceed the deposit.

Client agrees to pay all advanced cost deposits required under this Agreement within ____ days of Lawyer’s demand. Any advanced cost deposit that is unused at the conclusion of Lawyer’s services will be refunded.

6. LEGAL FEES AND BILLING PRACTICES. Lawyer will only be compensated for legal services rendered if a recovery is obtained for Client. If no recovery is obtained, Client will be obligated to pay only for costs and expenses, as described in Paragraph 7.

ALTERNATE ONE

The fee to be paid will be a percentage of the “gross recovery,” depending on the stages at which settlement or judgment is reached. The term “gross recovery” means the total of all amounts received by settlement, arbitration award or judgment, including any award of lawyer’s fees. The fee will be calculated before the deduction of any costs and expenses as set forth in Paragraph 7, and the costs and expenses will remain the responsibility of Client to be paid from the portion of any amounts received by Client after deduction of the fee.

Upon conclusion of the matter, Lawyer will provide Client with a written statement stating the outcome of the matter and, if there is a recovery, showing the remittance to Client and the method by which the remittance was calculated.

ALTERNATE TWO

The fee to be paid will be a percentage of the “net recovery,” depending on the stage at which settlement or judgment is reached. The term “net recovery” means: 1) the total of all amounts received by settlement, arbitration award or judgment, 2) minus all costs and expenses as set forth in Paragraph 7.

Upon conclusion of the matter, Lawyer will provide Client with a written statement stating the outcome of the matter and, if there is a recovery, showing the remittance to Client and the method by which the remittance was calculated.

Lawyer’s fee shall be calculated as follows:

(i) If the matter is resolved before filing a lawsuit or formal initiation of proceedings, then Lawyer’s fee will be ______ percent of the net recovery;

(ii) If the matter is resolved prior to __________ days before the date initially set for the trial or arbitration of the matter then Lawyer’s fee will be ________ percent (_____%) of the net recovery; and

(iii) If the matter is resolved after the times set forth in (i) and (ii), above, then Lawyer’s fee will be ________ percent (_____%) of the net recovery.

In the event of Lawyer’s discharge or withdrawal for cause as provided in Paragraph 12, Client agrees that, upon payment of the settlement, arbitration award or judgment in Client’s favor in this matter, Lawyer shall be entitled to be paid by Client a reasonable fee for the legal services provided.

7. COSTS AND EXPENSES. Lawyer will incur various costs and expenses in performing legal services under this Agreement. Client agrees to pay for all costs and expenses paid or owed by Client in connection with this matter, or which have been advanced by Lawyer on Client’s behalf and which have not been previously paid or reimbursed to Lawyer. Costs and expenses commonly include court fees, jury fees, service of process charges, court and deposition reporters’ fees, photocopying and reproduction costs, notary fees, long distance telephone charges, messenger and other delivery fees, postage, deposition costs, travel costs including parking, mileage, transportation, meals and hotel costs, investigation expenses, consultant, expert witness, professional mediator, arbitrator and/or special master fees and other similar items. Except for the items listed below, costs and expenses will be charged at our cost.

[USER NOTE – Insert rates here- Rates for copying, mileage, computerized legal research, and other charges must be disclosed. If those rates differ from your firm’s actual costs, the client must be advised of and consent to the difference]

Client understands that, as set forth in Paragraph 5, an advanced cost deposit may be required before the expenditure is made by Lawyer.

ALTERNATE ONE

Experts, Consultants, and Investigators. To aid in the preparation or presentation of Client’s case, it may become necessary to hire expert witnesses, consultants, or investigators. Client agrees to pay such fees and charges. Lawyer will consult with client on the selection of any expert witnesses, consultants, etc., to be hired and their charges.

Additionally, Client understands that if the matter proceeds to court action or arbitration, Client may be required to pay fees and/or costs to other parties in the action. Any such payment will be entirely the responsibility of Client.

ALTERNATE TWO

Experts, Consultants, and Investigators. To aid in the preparation or presentation of Client’s case, it may become necessary to hire expert witnesses, consultants, or investigators. Lawyer will select, in consultation with client, any expert witnesses, consultants or investigators to be hired and Client will be informed of persons chosen and their charges.

Client authorizes Lawyer to incur all reasonable costs and to hire any investigators, consultants, or expert witnesses reasonably necessary in Lawyer’s judgment unless one or both of the clauses below are initialed by Lawyer.

Lawyer shall obtain Client’s consent before incurring any costs in excess or $__________.

If an award of fees and/or costs is sought on Client’s behalf in this action, Client understands that the amount which the court may order as fees and/or costs is the amount the court believes the party is entitled to recover, and does not determine what fees and/or costs Lawyer is entitled to charge its clients or that only the fees and/or costs which were allowed were reasonable. Client agrees that, whether or not lawyer’s fees or costs are awarded by the court in Client’s case, Client will remain responsible for the payment, in full, of all lawyer’s fees and costs in accordance with this Agreement.

Additionally, Client understands that if Client’s case proceeds to court action or arbitration, Client may be required to pay fees and/or costs to other parties in the action. Any such award will be entirely the responsibility of Client.

8. BILLING STATEMENTS. Lawyer will send Client periodic billing statements for costs and expenses incurred in connection with this matter. Each statement is to be paid in full within ________ days after the date of such statement.

9. DISCHARGE AND WITHDRAWAL. Client may discharge Lawyer at any time. Lawyer may withdraw with Client’s consent or for good cause. Good cause includes Client’s breach of this agreement, refusal to cooperate or to follow Lawyer’s advice on a material matter or any fact or circumstance that would render Lawyer’s continuing representation unlawful or unethical. When Lawyer’s services conclude, all unpaid charges will immediately become due and payable. After services conclude, Lawyer will, upon Client’s request, deliver Client’s file, and property in Lawyer’s possession whether or not Client has paid for all services. Client understands that to the limited extent lawyer has paid out of pocket expenses for items, which have not yet been reimbursed by client, lawyer must be reimbursed for that particular expense before releasing the item.

Lawyer will maintain Client’s file for 10 years after this matter is concluded. Client may request the file at any time during, upon conclusion of, or after conclusion of, this matter. Ten (10) years after the conclusion of this matter, the file may be destroyed without further notice to Client.

10. DISCLAIMER OF GUARANTEE AND ESTIMATES. Nothing in this Agreement and nothing in Lawyer’s statements to Client will be construed as a promise or guarantee about the outcome of this matter. Lawyer makes no such promises or guarantees. There can be no assurance that Client will recover any sum or sums in this matter. Lawyer’s comments about the outcome of this matter are expressions of opinion only. Client acknowledges that Lawyer has made no promise or guarantees about the outcome.

11. NEGOTIABILITY OF FEES. The rates set forth are not set by law, but are negotiable between a lawyer and client.

12. APPROVAL NECESSARY FOR SETTLEMENT. Lawyer will not make any settlement or compromise of any nature of any of Client’s claims without Client’s prior approval. Client has the absolute right to accept or reject any settlement. Client agrees to seriously consider any settlement offer Lawyer recommends before making a decision to accept or reject such offer. Client agrees not to make any settlement or compromise of any nature of any of Client’s claims without prior notice to Lawyer.

13. LIMITATION OF REPRESENTATION. Lawyer represents Client only on the matter described in paragraph 2 – Scope of Services. Lawyer’s representation does not include independent or related matters that arise, including, among other things, claims for property damage, workers’ compensation disputes with health care providers about the amount owed for services, or claims for reimbursement (subrogation) by any insurance company for benefits paid under an insurance policy.

In the event there is a dispute between Client and a third party regarding any amounts allegedly owed by Client to the third party and there is a colorable claim to a lien on any proceeds in Lawyer’s possession by the third party, Lawyer will interplead those proceeds to the court for resolution of the dispute, if Client and the third party are unable to resolve the dispute amicably after a reasonable period of time.

This agreement does not include defending Client against, or representing Client in any claims that may be asserted against Client such as a cross-claim or counter-claim in Client’s case. This agreement does not apply to any other legal matters. If any such matters arise later, Lawyer and Client will either negotiate a separate Agreement if Client and Lawyer agree that Lawyer will perform such additional legal work or Client will engage separate counsel with respect to cross-claims or counter-claims or additional legal work.

Client may have other possible causes of action arising from the facts and circumstances giving rise to this representation. As Lawyer does not represent Client on these other possible claims, Client should seek independent representation if Client wishes to pursue a remedy. Delay or failure to do so may result in Client being barred by a statute of limitations from being able to recover under these other causes of action. [See User Note 3 Below]

14. CONCLUSION OF SERVICES. When Lawyer’s services conclude, all previously approved costs and expenses will immediately become due and payable. After Lawyer’s services conclude, upon request, Client’s file and property will be delivered to Client or Client’s Lawyer whether or not Client has paid any fees and/or costs owed to Lawyer. Client understands that to the limited extent Lawyer has paid out of pocket expenses for items, which have not yet been reimbursed by Client, Lawyer must be reimbursed for that particular expense before releasing that item.

15. LIEN. Client hereby grants Lawyer a lien on any and all claims or causes of action that are the subject of Lawyer’s representation under this Agreement. Lawyer’s lien will be for any sums owing to Lawyer for any unpaid costs, or lawyers’ fees, at the conclusion of Lawyer’s services. The lien will attach to any recovery Client may obtain, whether by arbitration award, judgment, settlement or otherwise.[See User Note 4 Below]

16. RECEIPT OF PROCEEDS. All proceeds of Client’s case shall be deposited into Lawyer’s trust account for disbursement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. No disbursement may be made until the settlement/or recovery check has cleared the bank.

17. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties. No other agreement, statement or promise made on or before the effective date of this Agreement will be binding on the parties.

18. SEVERABILITY IN EVENT OF PARTIAL INVALIDITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held in whole or in part to be unenforceable for any reason, the remainder of that provision and of the entire Agreement will be severable and remain in effect.

19. MODIFICATION BY SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be modified by subsequent agreement of the parties only by an instrument in writing signed by both of them or an oral agreement only to the extent that the parties carry it out.

20. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement will govern all legal services performed by Lawyer on behalf of Client commencing with the date Lawyer first performed services. The date at the beginning of the Agreement is for reference only. Even if this Agreement does not take effect, Client will be obligated to pay Lawyer the reasonable value of any services Lawyer may have performed for Client.

THE PARTIES HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE FOREGOING TERMS AND AGREE TO THEM, AS OF THE DATE LAWYER FIRST PROVIDED SERVICES. IF MORE THAN ONE CLIENT SIGNS BELOW, EACH AGREES TO BE LIABLE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY FOR ALL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. THE CLIENT SHALL RECEIVE A FULLY EXECUTED DUPLICATE OF THIS AGREEMENT.

DATED:

Client Name:
Address:
Telephone:
DATED:
LAW FIRM By:

(NAME), Partner: ____________________________________

User Note 1 – Insert a full, unambiguous, description of the legal services to be provided, including, if applicable, the level of services–e.g. administrative review, trial, appeal, etc. While the description should fully describe the anticipated services, the attorney should take care in drafting the description to avoid a conclusion by the client that the client can expect to receive more representation or services than the attorney intends to provide.

Further, if an attorney knows, or reasonably should know, of alternative or additional recoveries or causes of action the client has, the attorney should so inform the client, as well as inform the client whether the attorney will represent the client in that/those matters, and if not, to advise the client that independent representation is appropriate if the client wishes to pursue them, to inform the client about potential statute of limitations issues and admonish the client to take action timely. See, for example, Keef v. Widuch, 747 N.E.2d 992 (Ill.App. 2001) (Although a representation agreement may limit the scope of representation to a particular legal course of action, the client must be made to understand that the course of action is not the sole potential remedy and that there exist other courses of action that are not being pursued. Depending on the facts, workers’ compensation attorneys may have a duty of care to advise clients about the possibility of third-party actions involving a defective product, that the third-party action could be barred if not brought within the statute of limitations, and either to investigate such claims or to advise the clients to consult other counsel.)

An attorney may not be aware, at the time of the inception of the representation, of other recoveries or causes of action. Ordinarily, they do not become apparent until after the attorney has further investigated the client’s matter, or by way of traditional discovery. However, at whatever stage of the representation the attorney knows or should know of the other recovery or cause or action, the duty to so inform the client arises at that time.

User Note 2- Although a representation agreement may limit the scope of representation to a particular legal course of action, if other remedies or even separate causes of action are available to the client the attorney should inform the client of the alternatives and whether the attorney is or will pursue them. Failing to properly inform the client of the alternatives and the lawyer’s role in them may expose the attorney to potential malpractice claims for injuries suffered by the client resulting from missed opportunities in pursuing the alternatives. If the lawyer declines to represent the client in the alternative matters, the lawyer should inform the client of that and that the client should timely seek other counsel to represent them if they wish to pursue them.

User Note 3 – A general limitation of a representation does not relieve the attorney of the duty to advise the client of specific alternative or additional recoveries or causes of action the client has that the attorney knows, or reasonably should know of, as well as inform the client whether the attorney will represent the client in that/those matters, and if not, to advise the client that independent representation is appropriate if the client wishes to pursue them, to inform the client about potential statute of limitations issues and admonish the client to take action timely.

User Note 4 – In Missouri, a lawyer lien to protect your fee is governed by V.A.M.S. §§ 484.130 and 484.140. You should refer to these statutes to determine compliance with the necessary notice requirements contained therein in order to establish an enforceable lien.

Formal Opinion 115, as amended, of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee states that a lawyer may not withhold a client’s file or other personal property from the client in order to enforce payment of fees or expenses, nor may a lawyer contract away the obligation to turn over the file to a client if the client requests it. An exception is made for items that the lawyer has paid out-of-pocket expense and has not yet been reimbursed, the common example being a deposition transcript. Even if there is an agreement with the client allowing file destruction, before disposing of a file, it should be reviewed to ascertain if any extenuating circumstances require retaining that particular file longer than the agreed timeframe. For example, consideration should be given, in cases where, there is a structured settlement, to maintaining the file until the obligation for such payments is terminated.

Patrick O’Leary, General Counsel, and Christina Lewis Abate, Risk Manager, recently co-authored an article published in St. Louis Bar Journal, Fall 2014. The article discusses key features on which to focus when comparing policies from various carriers. To read the article in its entirety,

The Missouri Department of Insurance Legal Malpractice Report recently was published for the 2013 calendar year. Notably, the average payment on a successful claim in 2013 was $149,794, down from $189,209 in 2012. The majority of attorneys